When it comes to injury cases, waiting is almost never the right choice. If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident in Texas, you may be wondering whether you should wait until 2026 to file your claim. However, waiting even a little could be detrimental to your case. You could miss your filing deadline or lose important evidence. Filing before the end of the year could preserve your rights to substantial compensation, so you shouldn’t wait.
At Griffin Law Group, LLC, our skilled Texas personal injury lawyer knows what it takes to fight for you. Bret Griffin has decades of experience in the courtroom, both on the bench and in litigation. He puts that experience to work for you every day.
The Statute of Limitations in Texas
Texas law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. You usually have two years form the date of the accident to file your claim. This time limit applies to most types of personal injury claims, such as:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Product liability claims
If you miss your deadline, you could lose the right to compensation, even if otherwise you would have won.
Why Delaying Can Hurt Your Case
Two years can sound like a long time, but it really isn’t in the legal world. Waiting can result in serious issues that affect your case, such as:
- The loss of evidence over time
- Less digital evidence available of the accident
- Witnesses forget critical details about the accident
- Delays in medical treatment can lead to causation issues or arguments you contributed to your own injuries
- Insurers will try to exploit the delay and argue it wasn’t that serious if you waited
By filing quickly, you strengthen your case and reduce opportunities for the defense to challenge your claim.
Holiday Injuries and Unique Challenges
Holidays are a busy and risky time. This can impact your personal injury case. Busy roads and increased traffic increase the risks of car accidents. Injuries in crowded stores could injure you or your children. Temporary workers during the holiday season could be injured while at work.
Because these incidents often occur in chaotic environments, gathering evidence quickly is especially important.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Holiday Injury
If you were injured before the New Year, here are key steps to protect your rights:
- Get medical care right away
- Document your injuries
- Follow the doctor’s treatment advice
- Report the incident to police, or your employer if it occurred at work
- Preserve photos, receipts, bills, and anything else related to the accident
- Don’t post on social media about what happened
- Talk to a Texas personal injury attorney right away
How a Texas Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
An experienced attorney can:
- Investigate the accident
- Gather evidence before it disappears
- Handle communications with insurers to prevent lowball offers
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including future medical needs
- File your claim within the required deadlines
- Represent you in negotiations or court proceedings
File Your Personal Injury Claim Before the New Year: Protect Your Legal Rights
It is rarely a good idea to wait. Speak to a Texas personal injury attorney before the end of the year if you were in an accident. Getting your claim filed now could have a big impact on the success of your claim. We are here to help you determine who was at fault and what compensation you could be owed.
Consult a Texas personal injury lawyer at Griffin Law Group, LLC for help. Contact us today for a consultation of your case.